Bloggers: Print Journalists Have a Lot to Teach You

As
blogging becomes one of the predominant methods of delivering and
consuming content, it’s print journalists who have a thing or two
to learn from bloggers. But don’t be so naive to assume that you
have it all together. Good print journalists can teach you valuable
lessons as well.

4 Valuable Lessons to Learn

It’s
easy to look down on outdated modes and technologies, but the truth
is that there’s a lot to learn from the various methods, systems,
and strategies that came before.

Though
print journalism is in rapid decline, it doesn’t mean that the
journalists in the industry are in decline. Many are extremely
talented and have a wealth of knowledge to impart on the new
generation of content writers and reporters – also known as
bloggers.

Instead
of assuming you have it all together, adopt a posture of curiosity
and willingness to learn. In doing so, you may glean some important
insights from the following:

Checks
and Balances are a Must

The
truth of the matter is that bloggers, by definition, have very little
oversight to keep them honest or on track. In most cases, bloggers
have nobody to report to and can publish whatever they’d like. To
some degree, this is what makes blogging so appealing. However, it
also creates some big challenges in terms of credibility.

One
of the biggest lessons bloggers can learn from journalists is the
importance of having checks and balances in place. In print
journalism, journalists report to editors and editors report to a
board of directors. This allows for a system of checks and balances
that ensures content is factual, engaging, and free of obvious
errors.

While
you don’t necessarily need some formal business structure for your
blog, it is helpful to have someone who can review your work and
provide a little insight.

Solid
Reporting Skills Matter

The
majority of bloggers don’t do interviews or investigative
reporting. They simply share their own experiences and thoughts, or
piggyback off of other news reports and current events. But if you
really want to carve out a niche as a successful blogger, it’s
helpful to have some reporting skills in your repertoire.

“Learn
the value of journalistic legwork. Talk to multiple sources, and
check out the credibility of those sources,” suggest
Steve Outing,
a thought leader in the online media industry. “Double-source
information that seems suspect. Seek out the aid of public- and
media-relations professionals for corporations and public
institutions; today, many of them are accustomed and willing to work
with bloggers as well as traditional journalists.”

Visual
Design is Important

Bloggers
can learn a thing or two from print journalists about the importance
of balancing visual design and content for a “look” that readers
gravitate to.

“When
it comes to print media, written context is only part of the
equation,” Printing
Center USA explains. “The best magazines and journals
seamlessly integrate visual content for a cohesive experience that
both delights and informs readers.”

In
particular, clean visuals with plenty of white space and contrast are
effective in today’s distracting world of online media.

Trust
Signals are Key

If
you were to send in a pitch to a print magazine, the editor would
want to know why you’re qualified to be published. They’d likely
ask for your credentials, which help them determine:

Why
you
should be the one writing the article.

How
many years of experience you have in the industry.

What
level of education, experience, and connections you have.

Your
reputation and credibility in the industry.

While
you don’t have an editor or boss vetting your credential, your
readers are subconsciously looking for signs of your trustworthiness.
The more you can incorporate social
proof and trust signals into your content, the greater your
chances are of standing out and finding success.

Never
Stop Learning

It
doesn’t matter if you’re a professional athlete, auto mechanic,
or blogger, learning is a lifelong pursuit that you should remain
committed to year after year. Whether it’s studying what print
journalists do, looking at how other bloggers handle their
responsibilities, or researching the latest industry changes and
predictions, answers are found in the pursuit of learning.